Category: General

Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of the Community Parliament, Bida Nouhoume Youssoufou Abdouramani is advocating for the promotion and practice of transparency and accountability.

According to him audit is an instrument, a tool of financial control, which is employed by the public or private sector or an individual to safeguard itself against fraud, extravagance and more importantly to bring credibility to the audited.

And the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions, audit is defined as “Evaluation or examination of systems, operations and activities of a specific entity, to ascertain they are executed, or they function within the framework of certain budget, objectives, rules and requirements.”

This is a modern definition of audit in public sector and does not constrict itself with only cash audit, which was the case originally.

Auditing is part of the permanent monitoring and evaluation system within large organizations; the   desire for transparency in the management of ECOWAS Institutions has been accompanied by the recent creation of the Office of the Auditor General as an Institution, independent of other Institutions.

In the same vein, Parliament created in March 2020, during its inaugural session in Niamey, the Public Account Commission, with a view to supporting this dynamic of seeking transparency and publicly reporting on the efficiency of the entities of the ECOWAS.

For sound and effective functioning of the Community and to ascertain that the benefit of public funds (Community Levy) is being used, reach the lowest strata of society and to every individual, annual audit is an indispensable tool.

 It helps secure accountability of the executive to the Parliament and towards the public in general. The legislature can exercise control over the executives and verify that the public resources (Community Levy) have been utilized responsibly for the purpose intended, and funds raised through various sources like taxes reach government fully.

Mr. Bida Nouhoume Youssoufou Abdouramani, noted that as a member of the ECOWAS Parliament and as the privileged chair of the standing Committee on Public Accounts, he  would like to greatly thank the Rt. Hon. Speaker and his  colleagues of the ECOWAS Parliament for selecting Lomé to host this very important meeting.

The joint Committee meeting in Togo is on the theme, ‘‘The modalities for the practical implementation of Articles 9 and 11 of the Supplementary Act of the Parliament in respect of the consideration of the Community Audit Reports’’.

The following Committees are participating in the Lome-Togo meeting; Public Accounts | Administration, Finance and Budget | Macroeconomic Policies and Economic Research | Trade, Customs and Free Movement of the ECOWAS Parliament.

The theme of the meeting is, ‘‘The modalities for the practical implementation of Articles 9 and 11 of the Supplementary Act of the Parliament in respect of the consideration of the Community Audit Reports’’

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com/Lome-Togo

The Clerk of Ghana’s Parliament Mr. Cyril Kwabena Nsiah has underscored the role of the Parliamentary Press Corps as crucial to the sustainability and growth of parliamentary democracy, particularly in Ghana’s current dispensation where the country has a unique composition of Parliament.

According to him now more than ever, the tenets of the country’s democratic credentials are being tested and how it navigate this period and its associate complexities would determine how far the country travels on the path of democracy and development.

He made this known when he delivered an address at a two days capacity building workshop on the theme “A Knowledgeable Reporter as a Promoter of Multi-Party Parliamentary Democracy” for members of the Parliamentary Corps (PPC) over the weekend.

And further added that as the fourth estate of the realm the media is required to provide Ghanaians with objective, timely and relevant information to assist them make informed and responsible choices, in the democratic process.

“The media can only play this role effectively if it is armed with the requisite skills sets, techniques and knowledge required for the performance of its duties”.

According to him, Parliament recognizes the importance of bringing its proceedings to the doorsteps of the citizenry, and in this regard Parliamentary Service recently completed and handed over a well-equipped office to the PPC as a way of supporting it; a testament of the services commitment to ensure that the media is well-positioned and capacitated to provide balanced and accurate reportage on matters relating to Parliament.

“In line with this we hope that you will live up to your responsibilities in line with professional and ethical journalistic standards. This requires you to perform your duties without any partisan consideration and ensure that information flowing from your reportage is accurate and factual”

As Ghanaians have a lot of trust and confidence in journalists, such that they virtually believe or take the information you circulate as factual and truthful.

And it underscores why you should always crosscheck your information before reporting, because it is always difficult to reverse inaccurate or false reportage once its fed to the public, he added.

Mr. Nsiah admonished the media not to only focus on proceedings on the floor of the House, but pay attention to other parliamentary events in order to present a holistic picture of the House.

He reminded all and sundry that both the Press and Parliament which serve the public interest are vital for the successful as well as smooth functioning of the country’s democracy.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

 Four Committees of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament are starting a five days meeting today Monday, May 16, 2022 in the Togoless capital Lome to pursue a mechanism of reviewing Community Audit Reports.

The four out of the fourteen Standing Committees are as follow:
Public Account/Administration, Finance and Budget/Macroeconomic Policy and Economics Research/Trade, Customs and Free Movement as the Public Account become the lead Committee for the joint Committee.
The meeting is on the theme, “The modalities for the practical implementation of Articles 9 and 11, the Supplementary Act of the Parliament, in respect of the consideration of the Community audit reports”.

A statement issued by the Communication division noted that the objective of the Lome meeting is to enable members of the joint Committee examine the Audit Report of the various institutions under the Community agencies with the aim of better understanding and taking ownership of their implementation.

It is to further strength and consolidate the collaboration between all the Community institutions, particularly the Parliament and the office of the Auditor General of ECOWAS Institutions.

In addition, as part of enhancing the Supplementary Audit reports of the Community Institutions and agencies are among the areas in which the Parliament must be consulted, in other to give its opinion.

The objective of the exercise is to contribute to the promotion of accountability and good governance within Community institutions and agencies.

It is expected that various presentations by sector experts and resource persons during the meeting, will thus, elucidate the importance of parliamentary intervention in the process of control and promotion of transparency in the use of Community resources.

The ECOWAS Parliament is composed of 115 seats. Each of the 15 Member States is guaranteed an allocation of five seats. The remaining forty seats are distributed in proportion to the population of each country. Consequently, Nigeria has 35 seats; Ghana 8; Côte d’Ivoire 7; Burkina Faso; Guinea, Mali, Niger and Senegal have 6 seats each.

The other countries, namely Benin, Cape Verde, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Togo have 5 seats each.

Article 9 and 11 are as follows:

Article 9. MANDATORY REFERRAL

1. Referral to Parliament is Mandatory in the following areas
a. Community budget:

b. Revision of the Treaty and its annexes,

c. Annual Audit Reports of Community Organs and Institutions:

d. Adoption or Review of all Community Acts relating to ECOWAS Economic and Monetary Integration including trade, customs, free movement of persons, goods and services, infrastructure, monetary cooperation, industry and mining, private sector and investment promotion; –

e. Without prejudice to Article 10(d) of this Supplementary Act, other integration matters covered by the Technical Committees established under New Article 22, new paragraph (1b) of the Supplementary Protocol A/SP.1/06/06 amending the Revised Treaty; and

f. Any other sectoral policy decided upon by the Authority.

2. All referrals shall be transmitted to the Parliament in the three (3) working languages of the Community.

Article 11, OPINION

1. An Opinion of Parliament is required on the consideration of the Community Budget, the annual audit reports on Community, institutions, and other areas referred to under Article 9.1 of this Supplementary Act.

2. Where Parliament fails to render an Opinion within the period stipulated, the Parliament shall be deemed to have given an opinion.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), James Klutse-Avedzi has given a two week ultimatum for monies misappropriated and overpayment of deferred leave allowance be retrieved from officers of various institutions that appeared before the Committee at the beginning of the Public Hearing of the 2018 Auditor-General’s Report in the Western Region.

PAC is considering the Auditor General’s report of Ghana-Polytechnics for the period ended 31st December, 2018.

Reports of the Auditor-General on the Management and Utilisation of District Assemblies Common Fund and other statutory Funds for the year ended 31st December, 2018 and Reports on Accounts of District Assemblies (IGF) for the year ended 31st December, 2018.

The above reports cover all educational institutions as well as all Assemblies cited in the Auditor General’s Report in the Central, Western and North Western Regions.

The accounts of the Technical Universities and Polytechnics for the period 1st January 2018 to 31st December, 2018 have been audited in accordance with Article 186(2) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.

Issues raised in the Auditor General’s Report against some Technical Universities are; failure to seek Auditor General’s approval for forensic audit, use of IGF for the payment of book and research allowances, un-acquitted payments, un-retired Impress, among other infractions.

The Committee will sit in the Western Region from today Monday 9th to Saturday 14th May, 2022.

Ghanamps.com

The sixth (6) Gambia Legislature on Monday, April 25, 2022 considered and adopted the report of the Committee on Selection to the various Committee of their Parliament as well as international bodies like the Community Parliament and the Pan African Parliament.

Out of the five Representatives to the Community Parliament, three retained their seats; one lost his reelection bid while the fifth person did not stand for reelection during the countries parliamentary election.

Having been re-elected, the three members including Hon Kebba K. Barrow, former Majority Leader and leader of the delegation to the Community Parliament; Hon. Fatoumata Njai, the only female representative; and Hon. Samba Jallow, the former Minority Leader are still recognized as members of the Community Parliament.

It however appears the Gambian Parliament seems oblivious of the protocols on representation at the Community Parliament and has rather reassigned the three to different portfolios.

The former Majority Leader and Leader of the delegation to the Community Parliament, Hon Kebba K. Barrow has been assigned as head of delegation of the OIC; Hon, Fatoumata Njai to the Pan African Parliament while Hon Samba Jallow, the former Minority Leader is headed to ACP-EU joint Parliamentary Assembly.

The new face of the Gambian delegation to the Community Parliament is made up of current Majority Leader, Hon Billay G Tunkara-Majority Leader and Head of Delegation, Hon Alhagie S. Darboe- Minority Leader member, Hon Maimuna Darboe Ceesay- member, Hon Amadou Camara- member, Hon. Sheriff S. Sarr- member.

Watching on facebook live on the day of the adoption of the report from Ghana, Hon Fatoumata Njai cautioned the Committee of Selection of the Gambia Parliament that, “the Supplementary Act A/SA.1/12/16 relating to the enhancement of the powers of the ECOWAS Parliament, representation should be by election and not by nomination as is the case of Hon Maimuna Darboe Ceesay.

“She is  good very eloquent but the article says elected”. Other contributors also pointed out that an MP serving in an international parliament whose tenure has not ended should be allowed to continue.

Hon Kebba K. Barrow, on his part said, “The selection committee did not listen to advice and they have flouted the rules of the community parliament which is not in the interest of the Gambia People Supplementary Act of 2016 signed on behalf of the president of the people of the Gambia. It is very clear on the representation to the ECOWAS Parliament, you cannot change it and it cannot be changed”.

Former Minority Leader, Hon Samba Jallow on his part also pointed out to the House he has his invitation to participate in the upcoming June 2022 first Ordinary Session in Abuja-Nigeria, and emphasised, the point already made by his colleagues that the Gambian Parliament is likely to face challenges in Abuja in reassigning himself and two other colleagues of the Community Parliament who have been re-elected but are not part of current delegation to be presented to the Parliament.

What does the relevant articles in the supplementary Act say:

CHAPTER IlI ELECTION

Article 18. ELECTION, TERMS OF OFFICE AND VACANCIES

1. ELECTION
2. Representatives shall be elected by direct universal suffrage by the citizens of Member States;
3. The representation of each Member State shall reflect as much as possible, the political configuration in member State
4. Each Member State shall ensure at least 30% female representation in their Parliamentary delegation.
5. A citizen of a Member State who meets the following conditions shall be eligible to be elected as a Representative if:
6. He/she is a citizen of that Member State;
7. He/she is eligible to be elected as a Member of the National Parliament of that Member State under its Constitution or electoral law;
8. A Representative is eligible for re-election;
9. Parliament shall verify the credentials of its members;
10. Pending the time Representatives are directly elected by citizens of Member States, the National Assemblies of Member States or their equivalent institutions or organs shall elect such Representatives from amongst themselves;
11. The President of the Commission and the Speaker shall be notified of the election of Representatives.
12. TERMS OF OFFICE
13. A Representative shall be elected for a period of four (4) years from the date of the inauguration of the Parliament by the Chairman of Authority. Their mandate shall end on the last day of the legislature.
14. However, a Representative who is not re-elected at the national level shall remain in office until a new Representative from his/her Member State takes up the position.
15. VACANCY
16. The seat of a Representative becomes vacant in case of:

 i Death

 ii Written resignation to the Speaker,

 iii Certified mental or physical incapacity to perform his/her duties;

iv Resignation due to incompatibility;

v Removal by Parliament due to disrepute or as provided for in the Rules of Procedure.

18. Where the seat of a Representative becomes vacant, the Member State concerned using procedures provided under Article 18.1 of this Supplementary Act, shall forward a replacement for that seat.

Article 19. INCOMPATIBILITY

1The office of a Representative shall not be held concurrently with the following:

1. Members of government or Members of Court and Tribunals of Member State;
2. Judge, lawyers or registrar in the Community Court of Justice and the Community Court of Arbitration;
3. Member of any institution created in application of the Treaty, to administer the Community’s funds or a permanent task connected with a serving officer in the ECOWAS Institutions, or any other post in an International Organisation;
4. All other civil and public servants in Member States.
5. An individual, to whom the provisions of this Article apply, shall within one month of election as Representative take necessary measures to separate himself/herself from the incompatible appointment Failure to separate oneself from the incompatible appointment shall lead to a forfeiture of his/her election as Representative.

I took a trip straight to Abuja, Nigeria the corridors of ECOWAS Parliament to seek more education on the subject matter despite being sure and convinced of my opinion.

Upon further insight I am convinced that until the life span of the current fifth (5^th) legislature under the leadership of Rt. Hon Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis ends, Hon Kebba K. Barrow, Hon Fatoumata Njai and Hon Samba Jallow cannot simply be booted out, the best solution is for them to resign and communicate to the Speaker.

Touching base with some friends from the Gambian Parliament, they believe the action of their parliament is on point as to them Gambia is a sovereign state. However, a careful look at issue suggests that having signed on to the protocols, lay down principles would have to be obeyed. We are talking about an arm of government and not the Gambia State. Moreover if you respect the supplementary Act and what it says, I don’t have to be a lawyer to tell you at the First Ordinary Session Gambia is likely to face challenges.

In the fourth (4^th) Legislature under the Speakership of Rt. Hon Moustapha Cisse Lo, similar situation arose resulting in some confusion among the Ghanaian delegation when then MP for Suhum, Fred Opare Ansah refused to step down as a Member of the delegation, after he had served notice to continue as a member because he was still a member of Parliament in Ghana.

The Suhum MP had been a member of the ECOWAS Parliament until the Majority Leadership reconstituted the Ghanaian delegation and he was left out.

Similarly, there was an incident during the first legislature when the Togo government wanted to withdraw one Hon. Dahuku Peré from the ECOWAS Parliament and it was resisted and he continued to be recognized as ECOWAS MP till the end of the legislature even though in incarceration in Togo.

By: Kwaku Sakyi-Danso

 An alleged dual citizenship and eligibility of the Member of Parliament for Banjul South in Gambia, Fatoumata Njai has been challenged through a petition to the chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission, copied to the Attorney General’s chambers, Registrar of the High Court, Clerk of the National Assembly and the British High Commission.

A legal action has been taken against the Independent Electoral Commission to seek declaration that the nomination and election of Fatoumatta Njai is unconstitutional and should be declared null and void, and to declare the seat vacant for bye-election.

A legal action sighted by Ghanamps.com can reveal that, a Gambia citizen  madam  Haddy Jallow of Banjul instructed her solicitors to write that at the time of nomination of Fatoumata Njai  as an Independent Candidate, her dual nationality was unknown to their client through rumors.

It was rife that she holds the citizenship of England, making her a British National at the time of her nomination and if the allegation is true, “then certainly she is disqualified under section 90 (1) of the constitution of the Gambia”

“No person is qualified for election as a member of the National Assembly if he or she, (a) Holds the citizenship or nationality of a country other than the Gambia”.

Solicitors of Haddy noted that their client logged verbal complaint to the IEC and they replied that, “you do not have any proof which is the fact”, but as a creation of status, they believe the IEC should have made at least an effort to enquire at the British Embassy about the alleged dual nationality of Fatoumatta Njie, once there was an allegation for her disqualification.

And having gone through her nomination, without qualification, she is further disqualified under section 91 (1) of the same constitution which provides: “A Member of the National Assembly shall vacate his or her seat in the National Assembly and (b)  subject to sub-section (2), if any circumstances arises which, if he or she were not a Member, would cause him or her to be disqualified for election as a Member or nomination as a Member.”

They further noted that it’s the duty of the Independent Electoral Commission to conduct free and fair elections to ensure that only eligible and qualified candidates are nominated and their failure to execute their duty, has resulted in this legal action.

Meanwhile, Fatoumata Njai was re-elected as an Independent candidate following her sacking by her former Party, People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

Her problems with the party started two years ago at the party’s congress when she lost the leadership of the party, and accused the leadership of the party of trying to kill the party and was later expelled.

Madam Fatoumata Njai contested the Banjul South parliamentary seat, with three other male candidates in the person of Ousman Abou Wadda, People’s Progressive Party (PPP); Yaya Kuyateh, United Democratic Party (UDP);  and Muhamadou Mansour Foon, of the People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS)

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The ECOWAS Commissioner for Macroeconomic Policy and Research, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku has expressed his condolences to the Member of Parliament for Yendi Hon. Farouk Umar Aliu Mahama for the demise of his mother late Hajia Rahmatu Aliu Mahama.

In a statement, the former Member of Parliament (MP) for Offinso North said, “I have learned with a heavy heart the news of the passing away of your beloved mother, and I wish to express my condolences to you and all members of your family, may she rest in perfect peace”.

The wife of the late former Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama passed on at the age of 70 on Thursday, April 7, 2022 and has been laid to rest at a private cemetery at Kalpohin in Tamale.

She was buried close to her husband on Saturday, April 9, 2022 after her mortal remains were airlifted from Accra to her residence at Kalpohin for Islamic prayer.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

President of the Young Parliamentarians Forum, Elvis Morris Donkoh has advised students of West Africa Senior High School (WASS) to focus on their studies and avoid drugs.

The young Legislature representing Abura-Asebu Kwamankese said hard work and determination defines success, therefore students must aim at these values to make it in life and avoid using drugs to enhance learning.

He made these remarks when he led members of the Young Parliamentarians Forum on their first outreach programme at WASS.

He also commended the school for being disciplined for last the 20 years without any negative misbehavior from the students to tarnish the high reputation of the school.

In addition, the Vice President of the Forum, Betty Krosbi-Mensah (MP Afram Plains North Constituency) encouraged the female students to be up to the challenge because in her view the current female MPs are not adequate comparing to the number of male MPs out of the 275 Members.

Other young MPs who interacted with the students include Thomas Ampem Nyarko (Asuogyaman constituency), Yves Hanson Nortey ( Tema Central Constituency) Davis Opoku Ansah (Mpraeso Constituency) and Hon Frederick Yaw Ahenkwah (Jaman North Constituency).

The young Parliamentarians touched on various aspects of Parliamentary issues within the 8th Parliament and issues relating to Government business, stressing that Parliament exist to make laws and perform oversight responsibility of the Executive.

There Students asked questions about the work of Members of Parliament., the Headmistress of the School Dr. Mrs. Shine Ofori, thanked the Honourable Members for their visit and words of encouragement to the students

The MPs presented mineral water and assorted drinks to the school.

Ghanamps.com

Peter Bamfo has described as rather unfortunate the spine on the Rt. Hon. Speaker, Alban Bagbin’s statement he made about the ex-Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kwesi Nyantakyi.

Mr. Bagbin on Monday, April 4, 2022 in the morning had an engagement with the parliamentary press corps where he inaugurated the newly elected executives of the corps. As usual of the Speaker during interactions with the members of the Press Corps, Mr. Speaker alluded to the fall of the ex-Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kwesi Nyantakyi to drive home the need to put up the best behavior since our actions have rippling effect on society.

This seems to have been taken out of context and has flooded the media space since the statement was made.

Reacting to the development, Mr. Peter Bamfo said “it’s amusing to observe that, the sum up of the successful interaction, which bothered on the wellbeing of the pressmen and the development of their skills, among others, were buried in a complex scheme to project a mere example he made in reference to the predicaments of the former GFA boss who has been suspended from football administration.

The Speaker alluded that the forced exit of Mr Nyantakyi from local and international football administration illuminated the price there was to pay for corruption that goes beyond the person perpetuating it, and sometimes affects a whole nation or even the global community as was in the case of Mr Nyantakyi.

In this world people are supposed to be punished for what they do and not what others do, as the Good Book says in Ezekiel 18:20 : “The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son’s iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself”, but the structure of the global community, deepened by geo-politics and the complexity of power play has made communities pay for the sins of their leaders, he emphasised.

“We have seen what is playing out in Ukraine and its effects on the ordinary Russian citizens, some of whom have openly spoken and protested the unfolding war. They may be against the war, but the effects of the sanctions placed on their country will definitely affect their social and economic well-being in many years to come”.

According to the Speaker, in Ghana, the mismanagement of the economy by a few individuals in privileged positions has brought us national shame. Not only in this administration if we are not pretending.

He noted that the price of the mistakes or recklessness of leadership could indeed have a devastating effect on even the most vulnerable and an innocent individual in their communities and that is why the conducts of leaders must at all times be under critical public scrutiny.

There is no doubt that, Mr Nyantakyi was deemed a key resource person in the administration of global football and his conduct had an effect on the beautiful game.

Let’s step beyond that, and let’s examine the forum at which the statement was made, and that would help us expose the unfortunate misinterpretations contained in some of the media reports that has flooded the media space since Monday afternoon when the Speaker had the rather well intended interaction with the Press Corps he holds so dearly, Mr. Peter Bamfo at the Speaker’s office wrote in a statement.

The Speaker was speaking to the press, whom he charged to hold leaders accountable and further admonished leaders in privileged positions to look beyond themselves when they make decisions and rather consider the effect their decisions could have on their immediate communities or the global community, Mr. Peter Bamfo noted.

“In all modesty, the conduct and life’s work of the Speaker, spanning decades in high state positions doesn’t merit such dubious spins on his well-intended public statements.

The Speaker will continue to support efforts to fight corruption and applaud excellence when necessary, he added.

Ghanamps.com

Rt. Hon Speaker Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin has ruled that three Members of Parliament on the side of the governing New Patriotic Party are in breach of the 15-day rule. The absence of the MPs from the Chamber is said to be in breach of the standing orders of the House which stipulates that an MP shall not absent him/herself from parliamentary sittings for fifteen (15) consecutive days without recourse to the Speaker.

Article 97 (1) (c) of the 1992 Constitution and Order 17 of the Standing Orders of Parliament state emphatically: “A Member shall not absent himself during a meeting for more than fifteen sittings without the permission in writing to the Speaker. Any member infringing this Order shall have his conduct referred to the Privileges Committee.”

The three MPs whose conduct has been referred to the Privileges Committee include Dome-Kwabenya MP, Sarah Adwoa Safo, Assin Central MP, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong and Ayawaso Central MP, Henry Quartey. In a formal communication to the House on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, Mr Bagbin said that based on independent checks by the Table Office of Parliament, the three MPs have breached the 15-day rule.

The Committee was  directed by the Speaker to present its report two weeks after the House resumes sitting in the second meeting 0f the Second Session of the 8^th Parliament.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com